Body shops?

[mswerb]

After having a tree fall on my garage with both cars in it I am going to have to have some work done on my 2007 Chevy Equinox. I have been lucky enough to not have to deal with a body shop, so I am not familiar with any in my area. What is a good way to find a body shop that is NOT going to leave me with an end result that I will not be able to tolerate?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

The best thing you can do is get several quotes and talk to the people at each shop to get a feel for how they work.

Ask them to walk you through exactly what they will do to repair the damage on your vehicle -- you should be able to pick up on any obvious red flags, but if you have any concerns about what you're told or don't understand something come back here and I'm sure many of us who have a good amount of experience dealing with body shops can give you some insight.

 

[jbgrant]

After having a tree fall on my garage with both cars in it I am going to have to have some work done on my 2007 Chevy Equinox. I have been lucky enough to not have to deal with a body shop, so I am not familiar with any in my area. What is a good way to find a body shop that is NOT going to leave me with an end result that I will not be able to tolerate?

I'm looking forward to responses more enlightening than mine. Body shops are definitely hit and miss and the only way I know of to find a good one is through a recommendation that your trust... obviously, that won't come from just anybody. Perhaps you could talk to some of the more established detail shops or dealers known for excellent quality service and see where they send their cars and clients. Make sure the shop guarantees their work FOR LIFE, more than once have I had to take cars back because of paint issues down the road. Do NOT settle for less than perfect if that's what you are paying for. I've had some incredibly good work done. Literally, the metallic flake can sit in the paint just like the factory and the blending can be invisible if they know what they are doing. Edges can be smooth and absolutely no overspray is entirely possible.

 

[Elite Pro]

I recently had to deal with that- I just asked my friends I trust and fellow business owner buddies- The guy who I buy my tires from, etc.- and majority rules

I went and checked out the shop and let them know who they were recommended by & made friends with the owner

I also stripped all wax and let them know I did and brought my truck in super clean- He was really wowed at how well the truck was taken care of & appreciated that & I think he did a better job because of it

Upon pick up all I could 'complain' about was little compound splatter under the hood around the strut areas-no biggie- & I didn't complain- I've brought my truck there twice since for paint touch ups

Hope it helps, good luck:xyxthumbs:

 

[Flash Gordon]

Whoever paints it, tell them you are allergic to halograms and overspray

Tell them that either of the two will cause you to go bat #### crazy

Tell them you are a postal employee

 

[gewb]

Whoever paints it, tell them you are allergic to halograms and overspray

Tell them that either of the two will cause you to go bat #### crazy

Tell them you are a postal employee

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

Regards,
GEWB

 

[StephenK]

well it depends on what you are not gonna be able to tolerate. MOST( may be a few that really care) body shops will leave nice swirl marks in your new paint. they will use the excuse that they are just making sure the new paint matches the old. more than likely the will be over spray, and compound splatter. the way "most" body shops look at it is the faster they can get a car in and out the faster the next one can get in. in other words as long as the paint color is close to matching and the new paint have no sanding marks and has some type of a reflection to it then they are happy with the results.

 

[jsgntulok]

Several years ago when I needed a body shop, I checked the yellow pages for shops that specialize in Lexux, Mercedes, BMW, Porche, Audi, Jaguar body work. Then I called various dealer service departments to find out where they sent their customers for body work. Also asked friends who have needed bodywork done on their cars. As a result, I got superior work done at the selected body shop that was recommended by a couple of the "upscale" dealers. Your insurance company is also a source of recommendations, but not absolute.

 

[David Fermani]

Several years ago when I needed a body shop, I checked the yellow pages for shops that specialize in Lexux, Mercedes, BMW, Porche, Audi, Jaguar body work. Then I called various dealer service departments to find out where they sent their customers for body work. Also asked friends who have needed bodywork done on their cars. As a result, I got superior work done at the selected body shop that was recommended by a couple of the "upscale" dealers. Your insurance company is also a source of recommendations, but not absolute.

Lots of shops claim to specialize in high end cars like these, but fail miserably at even the lightest repair. I'd see who this place sends their cars to: MAG Ferrari | Home > Ferrari Dealers

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Once you find a shop that you're considering, let them know you hang out on a detailing discussion forum where the problem of swirls in the paint is a common topic and you're looking for a shop that can fix the damage and return your car back to you without rotary buffer inflected swirls.

Ask them how they finish out? As in, what tool, pad and polish do they use and then come back here and post what you find out.

If the shop is up to date on doing quality work then it shouldn't bother them for you to ask these types of questions. My guess is that if they are not on top of their game then they're going to see you as a pain in the butt customer and won't feel like answering your questions, this too would be a sign.

You could also print out a few pictures or the entire article here and take it with you to show them what you're trying to avoid.

Better yet take a laptop or an iPad with the below thread bookmarked...



DISO = The Dealership Installed Swirl Option

Sad to say but all to often after you're car is "prepped" by the detail shop at some New and Used Car Dealerships, you get what we all call DISO or the Dealer Installed Swirl Option.

Although the term DISO is used to refer to dealerships the problem actually is connected to dealerships, body shops and yes... detail shops.


Keep in mind that if the body shop you go with does in fact swirl your car out, it might not show up until you wash it a few times to wash any polishing oils or glaze off the paint.

Then to undo the damage you'll have to re-buff the car the correct way and both their hack job of buffing and your repair job of buffing will remove precious clear paint that you just paid to have sprayed...


The term "Horror Story" is what we call the experience and results too many people get after having their car repaired and re-painted.


Good luck to you and let us know how this story plays out...

:xyxthumbs: